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The document examines Europe's position within a global 'leading group' of countries advancing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon pricing. It argues that staying in this group is essential for Europe to attract investment, drive innovation, and reduce dependence on energy imports. The authors contend that energy prices are not the primary driver of global competitiveness for most industries, as 92% of German manufacturing spends less than 1.6% of revenue on energy. For the small minority of energy-intensive sectors, the report asserts that price differentials are primarily caused by natural resource endowments rather than climate policies, and that existing 'Carbon Leakage' protections in the EU ETS mitigate competitive risks. The report concludes that a coordinated European low-carbon strategy can create net-employment gains and maintain international credibility in climate negotiations.

The document argues that developing countries can avoid high-carbon lock-in by adopting strategic industrial policies to build technological capabilities. It examines energy efficiency in the sub-Saharan African cement sector and the growth of renewable energy manufacturing in China and India, recommending a mix of targeted protectionism, best available technology regulations, and international support to transition toward climate-compatible development.

The document argues that high debt costs in rapidly emerging economies can increase the cost of utility-scale wind and solar PV projects by 24-32%. It proposes two primary solutions: indexing renewable energy tariffs to foreign currencies to attract lower-cost international capital by mitigating currency hedging costs, and implementing government-backed concessional debt programs to reduce the total support required to make projects viable. The report provides detailed analysis of these mechanisms using India as a primary case study, suggesting that these interventions could lower the cost of renewable energy support by up to 30%.

The report proposes an 'accelerated scenario' for Fort Collins to reach an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030, twenty years ahead of its original 2050 target. This path involves reducing building energy use by 31%, achieving a carbon-neutral electricity system, and reducing transportation energy use by 48%. The analysis indicates that while this requires higher upfront capital, it would result in a net present value benefit of $260 million by 2030 and $2.0 billion by 2050 compared to business-as-usual. Key strategies include the deployment of distributed solar PV, increased wind capacity, smart growth urban planning, and the adoption of electric vehicles.

The report segments Marylanders into six climate change audiences: Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, Disengaged, Doubtful, and Dismissive. In spring 2013, 62% of residents fell into the Alarmed (23%) and Concerned (39%) categories. The study finds high polarization regarding local environmental changes and health risks, while identifying broad support for renewable energy and the protection of public water supplies. It details the demographic and behavioral profiles of each segment to inform state climate and energy policy communication.

The report finds that a large majority of Marylanders favor increasing the use of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, while expressing a desire to reduce the use of coal and petroleum. While there is strong support for state mandates requiring renewable energy percentages and for financial rebates on energy-efficient appliances, there is low interest and participation in home energy audits due to cost and awareness barriers. Additionally, the survey reveals a significant gap in support for natural gas depending on whether it is extracted via hydraulic fracturing within the state.

The report examines South Africa's renewable energy landscape in 2014, detailing the regulatory framework, utility-scale and private markets, and the manufacturing of components. It highlights the role of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) in driving capacity, while noting grid constraints and the importance of the Western Cape as an industry hub.

The document analyzes the resource constraints and policy conflicts in Ningxia, China, using a nexus approach. It highlights severe water scarcity, rapid land-use changes through afforestation and urbanization, and a heavy reliance on coal despite renewable potential. The authors argue that current sectoral targets may generate negative externalities and that better coordination is needed to align water, land, and energy goals.

The report details how Illinois municipalities use Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) to pool electricity purchasing power, enabling them to negotiate lower rates and switch to cleaner energy sources. Since 2013, over 90 Illinois towns have transitioned to 100% renewable electricity via Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), increasing demand for wind and solar by over 6 terawatt hours. The document provides case studies from Oak Park and Chicago, analyzes CCA adoption in other states like California and Massachusetts, and offers strategic recommendations for municipalities to move beyond RECs toward local renewable energy investments.

The 2013 update to the 'Ripe for Retirement' report identifies that up to 329 coal-fired generators (58.7 GW) in 38 U.S. states are no longer economically competitive with existing natural gas plants, and up to 71 GW are uncompetitive with new wind power. These units, combined with those already retired or announced for retirement, represent more than one-third of the country's coal-generating capacity. The analysis suggests that a combination of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and underutilized natural gas plants can replace this capacity, though the authors warn against overdependence on natural gas due to climate and economic risks.

The paper examines the gap between Ethiopia's large-scale grid expansion and the needs of the rural poor, proposing a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) to integrate decentralized renewable energy into national policy.

The report analyzes 11 CDM projects across five Indian states, concluding that sustainable development through these projects is largely a 'myth'. It finds severe discrepancies between PDD promises and actual impacts, noting that industrial projects often use CER revenue to expand production, leading to increased pollution. Most projects failed to provide promised local employment, healthcare, or education, and some caused significant harm through illegal land acquisition and environmental degradation. Only the Muni Seva Ashram solar community kitchen project was identified as successfully contributing to social, economic, environmental, and technological well-being.

The document examines how fuel subsidy reforms in Indonesia affect SMEs, noting that while these businesses are generally less energy-intensive than large enterprises, they are more vulnerable to price shocks. It highlights that indirect impacts—such as increased transportation costs and reduced purchasing power of low-income consumers—are often more severe than direct energy cost increases. The author recommends government support through improved credit access, infrastructure investment, and technical assistance for energy efficiency and alternative energy adoption.

The author contends that European electric utilities' financial losses result from failed investment strategies and a failure to adapt to disruptive renewable technologies rather than the technologies themselves. The letter highlights the macroeconomic benefits of renewables in Germany, the technical feasibility of high renewable penetration in Denmark, Spain, and Portugal, and the global trend of non-hydro renewables outproducing nuclear power. It suggests that utilities need new revenue models, such as bidirectional value tariffs, to survive the transition to a decarbonised, distributed energy system.

The U.S. electricity sector is shifting from coal to natural gas, with natural gas projected to account for nearly two-thirds of electricity by 2050 if current trends continue. However, this transition risks generating up to three times the carbon emissions recommended by the National Research Council (NRC) to limit climate change. While natural gas provides near-term public health benefits and supports grid reliability for variable renewables, it remains a fossil fuel that emits carbon dioxide and leaks methane. To meet the NRC's carbon budget, the U.S. must increase the share of renewable energy in the power supply to 25 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2050.

Global climate finance plateaued at USD 359 billion in 2012, falling short of investment needs for a 2°C pathway. While private actors provided 62% of the total, a strong domestic preference exists, with 76% of finance spent within the country of origin. Public finance, particularly through Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), remains critical for addressing risk and funding adaptation, though significant knowledge gaps persist in tracking private adaptation and energy efficiency flows.

The report examines how environmental taxes and other market-based instruments can fund renewable energy deployment. Through eight case studies from diverse economies, it argues that EFR can generate a 'double dividend' by reducing pollution while providing stable funding for green energy. It highlights the importance of revenue recycling to maintain economic competitiveness and the role of earmarking in increasing policy transparency and public acceptance. For China, the report suggests transitioning from electricity surcharges to a system based on natural resource and carbon taxes to ensure long-term investment stability.

This policy brief evaluates the use of the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) model in Estonian energy planning. A 2012 re-assessment found that actual CO₂ and SO₂ emissions between 2000 and 2006 were slightly higher than 2009 model projections, primarily due to revised statistical methodologies and unexpected increases in electricity exports. The study highlights that while LEAP is effective for supply predictions, it is less accurate for demand forecasts due to the influence of unpredictable political and economic decisions. The authors argue for the necessity of periodic ex post re-assessments of modelling results to improve policy planning and reduce future uncertainties.

The statement denounces the persecution of Berta Cáceres and other activists in Honduras, attributing the violence to a 'model extractivo minero' and 'energías sucias' driven by international financial capital and neoliberal globalization. It highlights the systemic impunity for officials who militarize indigenous territories while defenders of Lenca, Garífuna, and Miskito lands are targeted by state forces and private security for multinationals in the mining, oil, and hydroelectric sectors.

The report details a September 2013 briefing on America’s Power Plan (APP), focusing on the transition to a high-renewables future in the U.S. Midwest. It examines the need for new utility business models to handle decarbonization and distributed energy resources (DERs), highlights Minnesota's legislative progress on solar and renewable standards, and discusses Xcel Energy's experience integrating variable wind power. Key recommendations include adopting performance-based regulation, streamlining 'soft costs' for solar PV, and integrating distribution planning into state resource processes.